Coat-fastening means.



W. S. BARKER.

GOAT FASTENING MEANS.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 29, 1909.

Patented Aug. 17, 1909.

WALTER S. BARKER, OF CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS.

COAT-FASTENING IVTEANS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 17, 1909.

Application filed. April 29, 1909. Serial No. 493,00.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Wnirrnn S. BARKER, of Cambridge, county of Middlesex, State of hLlassachusetts, have invented an Improve ment in Coat-Fastening Means, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to coat fastening means, particularly adapted for waterproof coats having their front openings closed by Clasps.

The invention has for its object to provide means, arranged on the outside of one or both of the front-portions of the coat, for supporting one or both members of the clasps and for assisting in manipulating said members to engage and disengage each other.

Figure l is a front elevation of a coat having clasps for holding its front opening closed, and having means embodying this invention for supporting the clasp-members at the sides of the front opening and for assisting in manipulating them. Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail showing in front elevation a portion of both front-portions of the coat and the members of a clasp. Fig. 3 a similar detail showing another form of clasp which may be employed. Fig. d is a sectional detail of Fig. 2, taken on the dotted line 44. Fig. 5 is a similar sectional detail of Fig. 3, taken on the dotted line Fig. 6 is a view showing a modified form of my invention.

The coat may be of any well-known or suitable construction having a front-opening from top to bottom.

a represents one of the front-portions, at one side of the front opening, and 7) the other front-portion. Clasps are provided for holding the front opening closed, any suitable number being employed, which are ar- "anged at intervals along the front opening. So far as my invention is concerned, any well-known or suitable form of clasp may be employed, but my invention is particu larly well adapted for use in connection with a clasp comprising two members adapted by a l pushing-in movement, in a direction toward each other, to engage each other, and by a similar pushing-in movement in the same di rection and then by a sidewise movement to disengage each other. Herein olasps of this variety are shown for the purpose of illustrating my invention.

0 represents one of the members of the clasp and cl the other member. As shown in Fig. 1 these members each have a heel-exten- .ion adapted to be engaged by the fingers; 0 and CZ respectively representing said extensions. In the for .1 of clasp shown in Fig. 3, said heel-extensions are omitted.

6 represents a narrow strip of cloth or other material, preferably the same material of which the coat is made, which is attached to the outside of one or both front-portions by lines of stitches e. In Fig. 6 said strip is made much wider than in Figs. 1 to 5, and when using the wider strip the lines of stitches will extend along the middle of the strip, and when using the narrow strip said lines of stitches will extend along one edge only of the strip, namely, the edge nearest the front opening. In each instance the outer ec ge portion of the strip, remote from the front openin is unattached. The unattached portion of the strip is extended to form a finger-engaging portion, that is to say, it is made wide enough to be engaged by the fingers of the wearer. One of the members of each clasp is attached to said strip. In Fig. 6 said members are attached to the inner unattached edge-portion of the strip, and in the remaining figures they are supported upon and attached to the attached edge-portion of the strip, the attachingmeans, such as rivets, extending through the front-portion of the coat.

In Figs. 1, 2 and f the members are arranged with their fi11gerengaging heel-extensions extended oer the unattached edgeportions of the strips, so that the thumbs may rest on said heel-extensions while the fingers occupy positions beneath the unattached edge-portions of the strip to manipulate the clasp-members. By means of the strip herein shown, the members of the clasps may be easily moved into and out of engagement with each other.

My invention is more particularly adapted for waterproof coats, which are quite stiff, and consequently the members of the clasps are operated with considerable difliculty.

V hile it is preferable to provide strips 0 on both front-portions, a strip on one frontportion only very materially assists in operating the clasps, as said strip, enables the user to manipulate one of the clasp-members, while the other member is being held. Said strips 6 particularly serve as efficient supports for the members of the clasps in addition to aiding in manipulating them.

The particular form of clasp herein shown for the purpose of illustrating this invention forms the subject matter of my application for Letters Patent Serial N 0. 493,003 filed April 29, 1909.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 2- 1. A coat having a front opening, strips attached to the outside of both front-portions, the edges of which, remote from the front opening, are unattached and extended to form finger-engaging portions, and clasps for holding the front opening closed, the members of which are arranged on the strips and attached thereto, substantially as described.

2. A coat having a front opening, clasps for holding the front opening closed, and a strip attached to the outside of one front portion, the edge of which remote from the front opening is unattached and extended to form a finger-engaging portion, one member of each clasp being arranged on said strip and attached thereto, substantially as described.

3. A coat having a front opening, strips attached to the outside of both front portions, the edges of which, remote from the front opening, are unattached and extended to form fingerengaging portions, clasps for holding the front opening closed, the members of which are arranged on the strips and attached thereto, and have finger-engaging heel-extensions, which extend over the unattached finger-engaging edge-portions of the strips, substantially as described.

d. A coat having a front opening, clasps for holding the front opening closed, and astrip attached to the outside of one front portion, the edge of which remote from the front opening is unattached and extended to form a finger-engaging portion, one member of each clasp being arranged on said strip and attached thereto and. having a fingerengaging heel extension which extends over the unattached finger-engaging edge portion of the strip, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WALTER S. BARKER.

Vitnesses B. J. Noyes, H. B. DAVIS. 

